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Google Chrome OS Announced, Hits Netbooks in 2010
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Google, Internet, PC / Laptop, Software,
Google just announced Chrome OS, their entry into the operating system world. According to the Google Developer Blog, Chrome OS will be a lightweight, open source OS platform meant to “power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-zize desktop systems,” with the goal being a practically instant-on system that takes you right into the web. Chrome OS will be able to run on x86 and ARM chips, which means 32-bit computers, including Intel Atom machines, can play nice, along with mobile platforms. All-in-all, Google aims to make the Internet the bulk of the operating system, with Chrome OS just providing some supporting architecture. Offline mode will undoubtedly be supported, since it’s built in to the Google Apps suite of products. Google says they are already working with OEMs, and we should see devices that are running Chrome OS hit the market in the second half of 2010.
The competition in the OS space is heating up, and the biggest winner, from where we sit, is going to be the consumers. Game on.
Read More 
| Chrome OS
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Gmail, along with other Google Apps, now out of beta!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet,
Whoa! I never thought I’d live to see the day, but Google has finally decided that it was time for Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, and Google Docs to lose their status as beta products. No, you won’t find any changes to any of them. So, why the change? Well, businesses aren’t prone to rely on products that are in beta, even if they are five years old, like Gmail is. Look out, Microsoft.
Read More | Google Apps Out of Beta
CrunchPad Mobile Web Tablet Dropping For Under $300
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Handhelds, Internet, PC / Laptop,
The CrunchPad, a mobile web tablet that is completely optimized for web usage, seems to be on the verge of coming to fruition. Bits reports that, according to Mike Arrington, we should expect an official announcement sometime this month, or next month, and that the CrunchPad will be available “as soon as possible.” As it turns out, Mike Arrington, the man behind TechCrunch, has been spending about two-thirds of him time working on the CrunchPad over the last six months alongside a 15-person team from Fusion Garage.
The CrunchPad is an Intel Atom-powered touchscreen tablet, aimed at letting you use the Internet comfortably from it’s 12-inch screen. There is no keyboard (although, you can plug one in) and no mouse. In the simplest terms, you can think of it as a large, 12-inch iPhone that only runs Safari. Except the CrunchPad also supports Flash. The best part, though, is that this device will cost under $300. A 12-inch WebKit-based tablet device, for under $300? Sign me up.
Read More | Bits
Latest Gear Live Videos
Pure Digital Launches Flip Channels
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Internet, Software,
If you dig your Pure Digital Flip video camcorder as much has we do, and hate the hassle of editing and uploading, this will be good news for you. The latest version of their FlipShare software has been released with Flip Channels, online storage that you can use to share with others as well as simpler uploading to social networking sites. Sign up for the app and you will be able to video email to your family and friends as well. The company will also be releasing an iPhone/iPod touch app soon.
Read More | FlipShare
College of William and Mary researchers are working on RCB (real-time collaborative browsing) to make things easier for those who want to surf together, such as businesses with customer support or distance online education. The first person installs a Firefox browser extension that can generate a session URL to send to others. When up to 10 others click on it, they are sent to a page that connects to the first browser. Not yet available for the masses, the team is hoping that browser companies will adopt the technology.
Read More | Technology Review
Motorola Karma QA1 Handset
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Internet, Wireless / WiFi,
The Motorola Karma QA1 is for those who can’t get enough socializing. The slider has a full QWERTY keyboard, a 2.5-inch 240x320 display, 3.6Mbps HSDPA, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 support, A-GPS and microSD card slot. Access MySpace, Facebook, email, IM and use its voice memo recording to keep track of it all. AT&T is now selling the Karma for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, a $39.99 voice plan and $20.00 messaging or data plan.
Read More | AT&T
Want to get into broadcasting? YouTube set up a journalism hub yesterday with tips from those “who know,” like Bob Woodward, Katie Couric and Ariana Huffington. There are video tutorials on how to interview, ethics in journalism and our fave, NYT’s Nicholas Kristof’s instructions on how to report from a “global humanitarian crisis” without getting shot. If you already are in the field, YouTube would like your input on their Reporter Centers’ as well.
Read More | Reporters' Center
Now you can hang with your friends shopping online instead of making a trip to the mall. FriendShopper beta is simple and free to sign up and has a drag-and-drop bookmarklet to save and share anything you find on Internet retailers. There are folders for different products and the ability to keep favorites. The official launch will take place July 7, but you can check out their video, sign up now and add your shopping buds.
Read More | FriendShopper beta
Microsoft Lowers Windows 7 Upgrade Price
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Internet, Microsoft,
Microsoft is temporarily lowering its $119.99 price tag for Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade through July 11. It is now available for $49.99 and will work with most PCs that have Vista or XP. You can check with the system requirements to make sure. A Professional Upgrade is also offered for $99.99. You can get the new Windows on Amazon, Best Buy, or other retailers, but only in the US and Canada.
Read More | Microsoft
Songbird 1.2 Release
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Internet, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Songbird has released its latest version 1.2. Available for Mac, Windows and Linux, the open source music player now includes 2-way synchronization with iTunes, although still not to an iPhone or iPod. Built on the Mozilla platform, Songbird can automatically organize and store your music files. With the use of Last.fm, improvements include new Radio Directory support for browsing and quick links for playing stations previously accessed. Check out their site if you would like to try the free download.
Read More | Songbird
